AS THEY WERE

The Irish Melting Pot... research tips, genealogy, transcriptions, including all news from Clare Roots Society ... general Irish news and items you may otherwise miss..
This is As They Were...
they are just waiting for you to find them.

The stories of 170 women & men of Ennis who left home to go make Disciples of all Nations will be told and celebrated at the launch of a specially commissioned book compiled by John Bradley and Cora Mc Nulty and published by Ennis Parish in association with Clare Roots Society. These men and women came from families in our parish who nurtured and still support the call to service which so many generously answered all over the world and here at home in Ireland. The book is compiled to recognise and to acknowledge the men and women of Ennis who planted the seed, laid the foundations but who knew at all times that they were just workers, not master builders, Ministers not Messiahs.Ennis people has served as missionaries in the world's poorest countries, they have made an invaluable contribution to their adopted countries and left a legacy that others will harvest. On Thursday evening next at the 7.30pm Mass in the Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Fintan and concelebrated by many of our native sons, we will give thanks to God for the families that they were born into and the community of Ennis that reared and shaped them. After Mass the launch will take place in the Parish Centre and a welcome awaits all as we celebrate and salute the disciples who went to the end of the earth to proclaim the good news.

All are welcome to attend the book launch of 'Three Men from Clare,' an oral history book produced by Jackie Elger & Patricia Sheehan.Special guests on the day will be George Casey (aged 94) and Morgie O'Connell (aged 93). Guest speaker will be the oral historian Dr. Tomás Mac Conmara.About the book:Over a period of seven years Jackie and Patricia recorded George Casey, Tom Cusack (RIP 2015) and Morgie O’Connell.This is a book of the transcriptions of their recordings. The men recall their schooldays, farm work, dancing, socialising, sport,local people and much more. The book is not only the story of their own lives, but also gives the history of a community and howit has evolved and changed over the past century. It encompasses the villages of Kildysart, Cranny, Coolmeen, Ballynacally, Labasheeda and beyond.The book will also be available from 26 November at The Ennis Bookshop, Kildysart Post Office, Eason in Shannon and online through the Facebook page, Cat Beag Books.

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Brendan Bracken - son of the Fenian rebel who built Kilrush's Maid of Erin or "Winston Churchill's secret son"?

On Tuesday 30 October at 8.00 p.m. in Teach Cheoil, Kilrush, Brian Comerford will give a lecture on Brendan Bracken and Winston Churchill - the Kilrush connection. Brendan Bracken was born in Templemore, County Tipperary. His father, J.K. was the Fenian rebel sculptor who built the Maid of Eireann monument in Kilrush and was one of the seven founders of the GAA. J.K.'s son, Brendan, became so close to Winston Churchill that many believed he was Churchill's son. It was thanks to Brendan's intervention that Churchill became Prime Minister in 1940 and Bracken was appointed Minister for Information in Churchill's wartime cabinet. When he retired from politics, Bracken was appointed to the House of Lords as Viscount Bracken of Christchurch. Brian will detail Bracken's fascinating life story.Since retirement, Brian has concentrated on acting and writing and has made brief appearances on stage and screen, including a cameo rôle in "Rebellion" (2016).

Brian has written award-winning short stories, stageplays and screenplays. A 3 part World War Two TV series, based on the 1943 rescue of Denmark's 8,000 Jews, is with a Los Angeles based producer at present.KDHS lectures are free to members, EUR5 for non-members. New members are welcome. The annual membership fee (July-June) is EUR20.